NBI ordered to conduct probe on 4 missing Indonesian Navy personnel

Posted: 2017-Jun-19 22.00.35 UTC+0800

MANILA — Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe on the four Indonesian Navy personnel who went missing after escorting Filipino fishermen near the border between the two countries last December 2016.

Based on Department Order No. 399, Aguirre directed the NBI through Director Dante Gierran to "conduct investigation and case build-up" over the disappearance of the said Indonesian Navy personnel, adding that there is a need to get to the bottom on the incident.

"People do not just disappear. When people suddenly disappear without any explanation it becomes a serious matter that should be investigated. If a crime is committed relative to such disappearances, the responsible persons must be held accountable," read the Department Order No. 399.

The four were identified as - Faisal Dwi Andarta, Dian Mahenda, Badnur Rohim and Rizky Dwi Zeptiano- were last seen escorting the Filipino fishing boat Nurhana to Taluad island near the border area between the two countries after the latter was apprehended by Indonesian authorities for encroaching into Indonesian territorial waters in the North Sulawesi area.

The fishing boat was reportedly owned by the father of General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.

On board the fishing boat when it was escorted by the four Indonesian Navy personnel were the boat captain identified Hermilito Apura and two crew-Cleaford Apura and Entoy Lopez.

But while the Navy personnel went missing, Apura and the two crew were sighted in General Santos City.

Earlier reports said Indonesian officials managed to interrogate Apura and the two crew members but were told that the boat caught fire and sank along with the four Navy personnel. (PNA)